Surgical bandage



Dec. 24, 1968 l. R. BAILEY 3,417,749

SURGI CAL BANDAGE Filed Oct. 20, 1966 INVENTOR /RENE R. BAILEY l ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,417,749 SURGICAL BANDAGE Irene R. Bailey, 241 Trier St., Saginaw, Mich. 48602 Filed Oct. 20, 1966, Ser. No. 588,120 Claims. (Cl. 128-171) The invention relates generally to bandaging and more specifically to body member encircling bandaging particularly suitable for use in holding post-operative dressings over major abdominal surgery.

After surgery it is necessary to protect the surgical incision with a dressing until the skin and subdermal layers of the body have had an opportunity to heal. In the case of major surgery, the time required for such healing can be quite lengthy and many changes of the dressing are required during this period. Dressings are generally held in place by bandaging or adhesi-ve tape which encircles the member of the body upon which surgery has been performed. The bandaging must naturally be capable of removal to allow the changing of the dressing as required.

A particular problem is encountered in the case of surgery in abdominal areas of the body. Care must be taken to avoid bandaging to a degree of tightness such that the muscles in this area are supported thereby since, due to the length of time the bandaging must be in place, the muscles tend to deteriorate and/or fail to regain their strength in this area due to the lack of use imposed by such bandaging.

Because of this problem, it has been common in the prior art to utilize a form of bandaging known as the Montgomery Strap. Montgomery Straps comprise body encircling adhesive strips, the ends of which terminate in spaced relation to one another proximate the area at which the dressing to be held is disposed. The ends of the strips are tied to provide the connection over the dressing. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the Montgomery type strap has limitations on its use and is awkward and sometimes ineffective in its use.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved bandage for supporting surgical dressing which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bandage for surgical dressing which can be lused on patients having allergies to adhesive tape and substances commonly used therewith by obviating the use of adhesive bandaging.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved bandage which obviates the use of adhesive by providing a bandage having light elastic characteristics to maintain the dressing in place.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved bandage for surgical dressing in which the dressing is readily changeable by the patient by furnishing a bandage `with simple fasteners which may be easily connected and disconnected.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved bandage for surgical dressings which securely holds the dressing in place without constricting or supporting the muscles therearound by furnishing a light elastic, body-member-encircling bandage.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved bandage for surgical dressings which may be reused indefinitely by furnishing a bandage of a durable, washable material.

These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed inv light of the accompanying drawings wherein like compo- 3,417,749 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 nents throughout the figures are indicated by like numerals and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view of a portion of the human torso showing a prior art bandage and surgical dressing partially applied thereto;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a bandage in accordance with this invention;

FIGURES 3 through 5 illustrate steps in the application of the bandage of FIGURE 2 to a surgical dressing implaced on a human torso.

Referring specifically to FIGURE l of the drawings, a surgical dressing is shown applied to a human torso 12 and held in place by a partially installed prior art bandage of the Montgomery Strap type. As illustrated, the dressing 10` is applied to the abdominal area of the torso 12 by three adhesive straps 14a, 14b and 14C which encircle the torso and terminate with the ends thereof in spaced proximity to one another. The ends of the straps are turned under to mask the end portion of the adhesive and are provided with holes 16 suitably formed therein.

Strap 14a is shown prior to the complete installation thereof with a tie 18a of some suitable bandaging material or the like shown in an ext-ended condition prior to insertion thereof through the holes 16 of that strap. Strap 14b is illustrated with a tie 181; installed through the holes therein prior to tying thereof. Strap 14C is illustrated with a tie 18C inserted through the holes and tied in the complete installed configuration. The turned under ends of the straps overlap the dressing 10 and mask the adhesive in that area to prevent adherence thereof of the dressing.

In installation of the Montgomery Strap type of bandage, the body area over which the bandage will be applied is first prepared by cleansing the skin with ether and then applying tincture of benzoin or a similar substance to protect the skin. The tincture of benzoin must first be allowed to dry before the adhesive is applied to the torso. Although the tincture of benzoin provides some protection from adhesive burns when the straps are removed, most patients experience discomfort and adhesive burns and, in some cases, severe burns after repeated application of the straps. After the straps have been applied to the torso, the ends thereof are disposed in an overlapping condition with respect to the dressing 10 as shown and the ties 18a through 18C are installed. When it is time to change the dressing 10, the ties are removed and the dressing is changed, the ties being reinstalled thereafter.

The advantage of the Montgomery Strap is that it is retained in place, over the majority of its area, by the adhesive surface adhering to the body while providing for ready disconnection and replacement of the dressing by use of the ties in the area of the dressing. With suitable care in fastening the ties, the Montgomery Strap remains loose enough to avoid supporting muscles in the area of the strap thereby avoiding the deleterious effect of such support.

One of the primary disadvantages of the prior art Montgomery Strap is that'such a strap, even when correctly applied, fails to properly hold the dressing in place when the torso is bent or twisted such as when a person tosses during sleep. Another disadvantage encountered with such straps arises in cases where patients are allergic to adhesives, ether, tincture of benzoin or other substances used in connection with adhesive bandage. The necessity of utilizing such compounds obviates the -use of this types of bandage with persons having allergies to the substances used and, even in cases where there is no particular allergy, results in burns and mechanical irritations to the skin when the adhesive is removed from the torso.

Further disadvantages inherent in the Montgomery Strap are the length of time and skill required in applying the bandages and of the requirement for frequent replacement of the straps for sanitary purposes.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a bandage in accordance with this invention is illustrated in fragmentary elevation. The bandage is comprised of an elongated web of elastic material 2()` having light elastic properties at least in the direction of its length. As was stated above, it is important that the elastic properties of the web be such that muscles in the area in which the bandage is to be applied are not supported thereby. Quantitatively, such support will be adequately provided by a web material having the following properties:

Inches Length 3 3 Width 2li/4 Extension under 6 ounce pull 121/8 The extensive capability of the material is, of course, dependent on geometry and a bandage of a different width would have a different extension under the same load.

For example, a bandage of the same length as that de-v scribed above and having a width of 3%; inches would extend 71/2 inches under the same 6 ounce pull. A bandage 4 inches in width of the same length as above would extend 5 inches under a 6 ounce pull.

The web Z0 is provided with sets of fasteners of the snap fastener type. In FIGURE 2, two sets of male fasteners generally indicated at 22a and 22b, are installed on one surface of the web 20 while two sets of female fasteners, generally shown at 24a and 24h, are installed on the other surface thereof. The male fasteners 22a and 22b are fixed, in the usual manner of attaching such fasteners, to tapes 26a and 2611 which are then sewn to the web 20. The tape 26u is attached to web 20 at one end thereof -while the tape 26h is attached to web 20 at a point spaced from the tape 26a and intermediate the ends of the web 20. Transverse stiffeners, 28a and 28!) of whalebone or like material, are disposed between the tapes 26a and 26b and the web 2dk prior to fixing the tapes thereto. These stiffeners insure a flat condition in the transverse direction of the web 20 when in use and prevent bunching or rolling of the web when in place. The spacing of the tapes 26a and 2611 may be as desired but is preferably on the order of 12 inches in a bandage 33 inches in length. As illustrated, the tapes are also canted from each other. This cant may be as desired, however, is preferably on the order of 12 from the vertical direction as illustrated.

The female fasteners 24a and 24h are similarly installed on tapes 30a and 301) which are then attached to the web 2t) on the opposite surface thereof from tapes 26a and 261). The tape 361; is disposed at the end of the web 2Q opposite that of tape 26a while the tape 30a is disposed in spaced relation thereto at a distance equal to that between tapes 26a and 261;, intermediate the ends of the web 29. The tapes 30a and 30-b are also canted in a fashion similar to that of tapes 26a and 26b away from one another', tape 30a being canted in the same direction as tape 26a vwhile tape 301) is canted in the same direction as tape 261).

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the steps of installation of the bandage of FIGURE 2 are illustrated with the web 20 shown in a fully extended condition behind the torso 12 and with the surgical dressing 10 in place over the incision. In this disposition, the male fasteners 22a and 2217 face rearwardly while the female fasteners 24a and 24h face forwardly.

In FIGURE 4, the left side of the bandage has been passed around the torso to include the dressing between the area defined by the male fasteners 22a and 22b. This brings the male fasteners into a position where they are facing forwardly or outwardly away from the torso l2.

In FIGURE 5, the right side of the bandage Ztl has been brought around to bring the male and female fasteners 22h and 24b into registry whereupon these fasteners are connected in the Vusual fashion. The male and female fasteners 22a and 24a are also in registry and are similarly connected to complete the fastening of the web 2t). The web thereby provides an upper and lower layer over the dressing l0. The lower layer is pulled downwardly to cover the lower portion of the dressing while the upper layer is deflected upwardly to cover the upper portion of the dressing as is shown in the figure thereb;l providing full coverage and positive gripping of the dressing 1) by the web 20.

With the bandage now in place, the dressing 1t) is protected by the spread web 20 and is securely held in place over the incision. Because of its resiliency, the bandage will give with body distortion while maintaining a consistent light hold on the dressing 1G to prevent displacement thereof. Since no adhesive is used, the skin cannot react with the bandage material. The bandage also may quickly and easily be removed for replacement of the dressing 1t). By fabricating the bandage of a lightly elasic material, support of the muscles in the abdominal area is ravoided thereby preventing the deleterious effects of such support. By fabricating the web 20 of a washable material the bandage may be reused for long periods of time thereby affording a savings in cost and supply. Because of the disposition of the male and female fasteners= a smooth comfortable surface is presented to the torso and a relatively smooth surface is presented outwardly so that unsightly bulges and protuberances do not appear through clothing worn over the bandage. It should be obvious also that the bandage cannot be applied in the `wrong manner since reversal of the above-described arrangement will provide the same general results.

Another advantage provided by the use of the lightly elastic bandage is that the material contemplated is porous and will allow the skin to breathe, a capability that is not present in the use of the ordinary adhesive tape.

What has been set forth above is intended as exemplary of a teaching in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art in the practice thereof. It should, therefore, be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is new and, therefore, desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A surgical bandage comprising:

an elongated web member of suitable length to encircle members of a body to retain a surgical dressing in place, said web member having elaszic properties light enough to retain said dressing in place without constricting the members to a point where encircled muscles are supported thereby;

first fastener means disposed on one surface of said member proximate an end thereof; second fastener means disposed on said one surface of said member intermediate the ends thereof at a distance spaced from said first recited fastener means;

third fastener means disposed on the other surface of said member proximate the other end thereof;

fourth fastener means disposed on said other surface of said member proximate a distance equal to the spacing between said first and second recited fastener means; and

stiffening means associated with said member to maintain a flat configuration transverse the longitudinal direction thereof;

said first and fourth recited fastener means cooperating to connect said member when encircled around a member of a body with the ends thereof overlapping; said second and third recited fastener means cooperating to connect said `member at a point spaced from the connection afforded by said first and fourth recited fastener means.

2. A bandage in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extension of said web under a 6 ounce tension is as follows:

Approximate extension Web width, inches: in percent of length 3. A bandage in accordance `with claim 1 wherein said first and second recited fastener means comprise a plurality of snap fasteners disposed at spaced intervals across said web and wherein said third and fourth recited fastener means comprise a corresponding number of similarly disposed snap fasteners which mate with said rst and second mentioned fastener means.

4. A bandage in accordance with claim 3 wherein said snap fasteners are xed to a strip of textile like material and wherein said strip is attached to said web.

5. A bandage in accordance with claim 4 wherein References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,857,179 5/1932 Bowman 12S-579 2,185,834 1/1940 Creper 128579 3,054,400l 9/1962 I izio 128-163 3,125,093 3/1964 Hutchins 12S- 171 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

U.S. C1. XR. 12S-157, 579 

1. A SURGICAL BANDAGE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED WEB MEMBER OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO ENCIRCLE MEMBERS OF A BODY TO RETAIN A SURGICAL DRESSING IN PLACE, SAID WEB MEMBER HAVING ELASTIC PROPERTIES LIGHT ENOUGH TO RETAIN SAID DRESSING IN PLACE WITHOUT CONSTRICTING THE MEMBERS TO A POINT WHERE ENCIRCLED MUSCLES ARE SUPPORTED THEREBY; FIRST FASTENER MEANS DISPOSED ON ONE SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER PROXIMATE AN END THEREOF; SECOND FASTENER MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID ONE SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF AT A DISTANCE SPACED FROM SAID FIRST RECITED FASTENER MEANS; THIRD FASTENER MEANS DISPOSED ON THE OTHER SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER PROXIMATE THE OTHER END THEREOF; FOURTH FASTENER MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID OTHER SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER PROXIMATE A DISTANCE EQUAL TO THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND RECITED FASTENER MEANS; AND STIFFENING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MEMBER TO MAINTAIN A FLAT CONFIGURATION TRANSVERSE THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION THEREOF; SAID FIRST AND FOURTH RECITED FASTENER MEANS COOPERATING TO CONNECT SAID MEMBER WHEN ENCIRCLED AROUND A MEMBER OF A BODY WITH THE ENDS THEREOF OVERLAPPING; SAID SECOND AND THIRD RECITED FASTENER MEANS COOPERATING TO CONNECT SAID MEMBER AT A POINT SPACED FROM THE CONNECTION AFFORDED BY SAID FIRST AND FOURTH RECITED FASTENER MEANS. 